Czech President Milos Zeman says he wants his country to hold a referendum on the country's membership in the 28-nation European Union and in NATO following the vote in Britain to leave the EU.

Zeman said he would personally vote to remain because the Czech Republic benefits from being an EU member. He says "I don't agree with those who want to leave the European Union. But I'll do all I can that a referendum takes place and they have a chance to express their view."

Zeman has often attacked the EU, especially its handling of the continent's refugee crisis.

The Czech Republic currently has no law that would make it possible to hold a nationwide referendum but a draft of such a law is ready for debate in Parliament.